Molde, Norway, lies 230 mi/370 km northwest of Oslo amid the spectacular fjord country on the coast between Bergen and Trondheim. The town sits beneath glacial cliffs, which protect it from the harsh elements, and it's blessed with a comparatively mild climate. Unfortunately, Molde was destroyed during World War II—it looks more modern than many other coastal towns—but you can still get a feel for the area's history by visiting the Romsdal Museum (http://www.romsdalsmuseet.no), which contains 45 authentic 15th-century wooden houses. Molde also has a museum documenting the city's dependence on the sea and its resources.
The Molde Jazz Festival (http://www.moldejazz.no), held every July, attracts thousands to the town. The dramatic mountain scenery of the Sunnmore area is also nearby. If you have a car, you might want to drive the 4 mi/6 km Atlantic Highway from Vevang to Kloveneset, which threads across the Atlantic Ocean via tiny islands and embankments. http://www.visitmolde.com.
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